3 local entrepreneurs earn diversity awards

Jose Rivero offered his motto, "With patience, everything is possible," in his native Spanish as a tidbit of advice that has served his family well over the years. The local restaurateur is resilient like a phoenix — turning failure into a lucrative venture because of his patience, perseverance, hard work and determination.

At the Chamber of Commerce's annual Diversity Awards on Tuesday, the local entrepreneur and Mexican immigrant was recognized for the diversity fostered by his business ventures.

Rivero, who owns Pepe's Diner and Santa Rosa Sports Arena, was recognized alongside Binnie Dierschke, owner of Dierschke & Dierschke Realtors; and Fred Hernandez, manager of community affairs at the local AEP Texas office. Brief biographies of the three were read to the audience of a couple hundred chamber members before they were presented with plaques honoring their dedication and impact on the community.

"The chamber wants to celebrate the diverse cultures (that are) part of our community," said Del Velasquez, the Chamber's Diversity Committee chairman and Marketing Director at the Standard-Times. "It is important that businesses have a strategic plan in their business model that incorporates diversity that attracts the diverse consumer base in our community."

Approximately 20 nominations were accepted from the community, Velasquez said, and the winners were determined by the Diversity Committee, which is composed of a group of diverse community members.

Rivero and his businesses are a shining example of what the Diversity Committee sought.

Born in Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, Rivero began working at a young age to help his mother and father support him and his 11 siblings. The second oldest of the bunch, Rivero worked manual labor since he was 6 and immigrated to the United States with his family when he was 13 with a ninth-grade education to find better work.

He worked in the oil fields for about 16 years before he decided to take a leap and open a restaurant — his passion. In 1988 he opened Pepe's Diner but wasn't prepared as a business owner and shut it down a year later after nearly going bankrupt. For more than five years after the closure of his restaurant, he worked at Bentwood Country Club, gaining administrative experience and earning a culinary license.

In 1996, Rivero reopened Pepe's Diner and has since experienced the success to sustain himself, his family and workforce of about 20 employees. Throughout the years he has experienced highs — such as gaining U.S. citizenship in 2000 — and lows — health issues and family deaths — that made him question whether he should keep his restaurant open. But he prevailed and recently opened Santa Rosa Sports Arena, a venue he hopes will enhance the local rodeo scene.

"He's overcome a lot of struggles in his life and worked hard since he was 6 years old. Nothing came easy to him," said Laura Rivero, Jose Rivero's daughter. "We feel so honored he got this award and his hard work was recognized."

He's overcome a lot of struggles in his life and worked hard since he was 6 years old. Nothing came easy to him."